When my son turned one I knew I wanted to do a fun first birthday shoot but I had no inspiration on what to do. I had looked all over online for something that might fit his fun personality as well as something that would be relatively easy for me to pull together. Nothing seemed to fit until finally, the night before I saw one picture of a softball-themed shoot and decided that was what I would do. Most of my family has all played softball and/or baseball and we’re huge fans of both. Unfortunately, I had one photo as inspiration to go on so I had to make it up as I went!
I already had him a baseball-themed pajama set so I grabbed him another outfit at Walmart. Then I pulled out all of our softball and baseball gear plus a wooden crate we had on hand. The only things I purchased were the second outfit, the cap, and the ingredients for the cake.
Making the One banner
Materials: Brown paper bag or kraft paper, brown twine, scrapbook letters, white paper, red marker
I found a paper bag and using a ruler measured out by eyeballing the shape of one of the banners. I cut it out and adjusted it as needed. I used it as a template for the other two.
For the ball, I cut out a circle and freehanded the red lines. I did consider doing a softball but a baseball is more recognizable.
For the other letters, I found scrapbook letters, traced them, cut them, and glued them on.
I folded the top of each banner piece over the brown twine and glued it the paper to itself.
It took about an hour but most of that hour was spent tracking down materials. I was at my mom’s house so I didn’t know how to find everything as I do at home.
First Birthday Smash Cake
I baked two small round cakes stacked. I frosted it with whipping cream stabilized with gelatin. The only sugar in the cake was the red licorice I used to make the traditional baseball markings.
Photoshoot
We went out to the local ball field and set up all the props. We added the baby last and quickly started taking pictures while he played with all the props. I feel like this is a great theme for any kid because balls and bats are so much fun to play with.
Halfway through we switched outfits and then added the cake. In hindsight, I would pick a second location without gravel or dirt for the cake smash. He ate equal parts whipping cream and dirt!
What is your favorite cake smash/first birthday shoot theme? I think this one fit him perfectly and I’m so glad we manage to throw it together.
xo Faith